My life as a mom with 5 young children is beautifully imperfect

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This is the second in a series of posts on dealing with an eating disorder. Read the first one here.

I went into the therapists office for my first meeting in full denial. I didn’t have mental problems, I had heart disease. But I was so scared about what was going on with my body I was willing to get someone to say I was fine in the head so I could go back to my doctor and tell her to check again.

After a few sessions, I was given a diagnosis. My therapist, Marcia, who had been solely working with eating disorder patients for 15 years informed me I had one of the worst cases of anorexia she had ever seen.

Well then. I still thought she was wrong, but I was scared, really scared. I could feel my body dying and many nights I would wake up with serious stomach pain from starvation and such weakness that I couldn’t stand up. I slept with grapes by my bed to stave off the hunger pains. A few grapes would often get me back to sleep. But I knew deep down my body was failing and I feared I would not wake up one day. So my fear kept me coming back and listening to her words and attempting to answer her questions.

Immediately after her diagnosis a whirl wind of things happened. They happened so fast I didn’t have time to run screaming from the office. Before I could spell anorexia I was connected with an amazing team of professionals who worked with me on many levels in different capacities. I was given names and addresses of where and when to show up. That was pretty much it.

I met with Marcia 3 times a week to begin with. Most of the hard work happened here. Gut wrenching, soul searching, truth telling stuff.

My psychiatrist, Michael, was very nice, and patient. We met monthly and he mainly helped me cope with what I was dealing with in therapy through medication which I did not want to take, and often didn’t, much to his dismay. But in the end he was a key piece of my recovery whether I liked it or not.

Pam, my diatician, met with me twice a week for a weigh in and education on good nutrition. She was unbelievably patient and kind to me as I very slowly began to re-eat. I had to put on a paper gown and step on a scale twice a week in front of Pam and provide documentation of my food intake to her. She put it all in a computer so we could see what I was really doing and how my body was responding. She was a great friend and I loved meeting with her. She taught me so much and seemed to truly love me through a very difficult recovery and learning process.

Finally, there was Dr. Kimberly, the one who diagnosed me to begin with. She monitored me as needed to make sure my body was healing and rebuilding the way we hoped it would. She delivered the good news, bad news and the unknown to me with understanding and kindness in her voice.

That was it, my full, amazing, talented, gifted and patient recovery team. I will forever love and cheris them in my heart.

They saved my life.

About 6 months into therapy I finally agreed “I may have an issue”. Just a small one though. I wondered how long this was going to take to get over, but all my therapist would tell me was she was going to be with me for a long time.

After a year I realized I was dealing with a giant and I was fully onboard – willing to defeat it, but incapable of doing it quickly. It was going to be a long road and Marcia assured me she wasn’t going anywhere. Those were comforting words to me.

Like this:

I have this certain group of awesome ladies that let me hang out with them sometimes. They are really great for many reasons, but my favorite is that they make up all sorts of excuses to throw a party. Seriously, we will sit around together, dreaming up new reasons for a party. Our pinterest profiles are always at the ready on our phones and tablets for our next board. Only the best get to make the board first though, you have to be really quick with this group. Maybe you have a group of friends like this, and maybe you don’t. If you don’t, you can join ours, just give us a reason, just a little bits enough, to throw you your initiation party. We will make it simple, I promise.

The truth is we love to throw parties, make beautiful things, and make people happy. It’s our thing. We are more creative together than apart and that makes it so much more fun. At least for me. So I wanted to share with you our latest…The Sprinkle.

A week or so ago I talked about being intentional with my holidays and eliminating some of the stress they bring.

So for Thanksgiving I punted. We went to a friend’s home and celebrated with them. For nearly 20 years these friends of ours have feasted with family and friends that need a place to celebrate. It’s always large. It’s always fun. The traditions are deep. But the cast is always different. And the stories…oh the stories we have heard of the fun. Roll-throwing contests. Burnt casseroles. Movies. Piano playing. Singing. Relaxing.

There is no formal invitation that goes out. Just a “hey you are always welcome to join us” kind of thing. But this year we accepted. We were excited and honored at the idea.

And all I had to do was bring some green beans!

It was everything we had heard about and plenty more. The table was beautiful and yet practical. There were 19 people there sitting at one very long table that was pieced together from three tables. We used paper plates and napkins but real silverware – a lesson learned over the years I understand. I took notes.

The food was plentiful and fantastic. Each of us brought a special dish to share. We loaded our plates up the first time and went back for more as many times as our stomachs would allow. We laughed, we relaxed.

We shared what we were thankful for in an “anything goes” sort of way. Some were funny, some sweet. All were honest. Everyone participated including a few who couldn’t be there this year and phoned them in. As they were read we had to guess who’s it was.

While it was a total vacation for me it reminded me how very blessed we are to have such good, generous and loving friends. I know that day was a lot of work and preparation for them. I know because I have lived it. But this year, because of their generosity and goodness, I didn’t have to. I got to relax. For years through this tradition they have nourished many, many people. Their bodies, spirits and souls.

And I am very thankful for what they gave me this holiday season. Rest.

It’s here, the start of crazy season. This week I’m taking it easy at This Beautifully Imperfect Life – not so much at home! But I thought I would share a little last minute inspiration for your thanksgiving table. Enjoy!

Well, the birthdays just keep coming! This one was really fun, and fairly easy.

Theme: Rainbow Art PartyAge: 10

We opted to have it in an art studio where an artist instructed the girls on painting a picture. Each participant painted their own so they came out unique but “the same”.

Invitations: I designed these and had them printed up and we mailed them out about two weeks ahead of time. They didn’t say “NUM.1” on them, obviously. Who names their kids such things?

Activities: We started with some food and chatting while we waited for everyone to arrive. Then we began the painting. The teacher instructed them on the background and while they waited for that to dry they took a break for dinner. After dinner and snacks, they finished their masterpieces.

Food: We had pizza delivered for our main course and with it we had rainbow fruit and veggie platters. As a treat I let the girls have some soda with straws and “clouds”. they came out so cute! Then while they returned to painting we had some rainbow candy to snack on.

Cake: Since I didn’t have time to make my own double decker rainbow dot cake, I made a run to the grocery. They said they usually needed 24 hours notice, but since I am a “special customer” they would make an exception. So sweet! But since I don’t know them, and because this is a big chain grocery, I’m sure that’s what they call all their customers. But it didn’t matter, I needed a cake and they were happy to help me out in a pinch.

Decorations: I made rainbow puffs and stuck them on sticks in jars. The food was as much decoration as anything. Then I added a pennant, personal poster and the glasses with straws and clouds topped it off.

The girls had a lot of fun, and it wasn’t too difficult for me either. Fall is busy 🙂